Woman caught with $2.9M of suspected meth at Laredo port of entry

These 147 pounds of crystal methamphetamine have an estimated street value of $2.9 million. A Houston resident tried to smuggle the narcotics through the Colombia Solidarity International Bridge, authorities said.

These 147 pounds of crystal methamphetamine have an estimated street value of $2.9 million. A Houston resident tried to smuggle the narcotics through the Colombia Solidarity International Bridge, authorities

These 147 pounds of crystal methamphetamine have an estimated street value of $2.9 million. A Houston resident tried to smuggle the narcotics through the Colombia Solidarity International Bridge, authorities said.

These 147 pounds of crystal methamphetamine have an estimated street value of $2.9 million. A Houston resident tried to smuggle the narcotics through the Colombia Solidarity International Bridge, authorities

A criminal complaint filed Sept. 3 charged Alondra Pliego, 21, a U.S. citizen, with import and conspire to import meth. She remained in federal custody.

At about 11:50 a.m. Aug. 29, Pliego arrived at the Colombia Bridge driving a Chrysler Pacifica. She was referred to secondary inspection due to her travel itinerary, according to court documents.

There, Pliego gave a negative oral declaration for prohibited items. But an X-ray inspection of the vehicle resulted in anomalies within the rear area of the vehicle. A K-9 inspection yielded the possible presence of a narcotic odor emanating from within the vehicle.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers then discovered a non-factory compartment within the vehicle's rear cargo floor area. CBP said they extracted 65 bundles of meth weighing 147 pounds. The contraband had an estimated street value of $2,951,960.

"This is another prime example of our CBP officers' commitment to our border security mission of preventing narcotics from entering our country," said Port Director Albert Flores, of the Laredo Port of Entry. "Intercepting people who are attempting to bring illicit contraband is just one of the many duties our CBP officers do to keep our communities safe."

Homeland Security Investigation special agents and task force officers took over the case. Pliego allegedly agreed to make a statement without an attorney present. She stated that an individual offered her money to drive the vehicle, according to court documents.

"Pliego admitted that she knew she was transporting crystal methamphetamine because she recognized the odor. Pliego clarified that she recognized the odor of crystal meth because she used crystal meth in the past," states the affidavit.